Pages

Monday, 26 November 2012

AA records record number of call outs

Thanks to floods causing havoc across the UK, the AA has reported it has experienced its busiest ever day for flood-related call-outs.

By midnight last night, the AA had attended 804 cars driven through or stuck in flood water and its specialist water rescue Land Rover crews worked late into the night in the affected areas.

The organisation was called out to more than 13,000 breakdowns; around 900 every hour.

Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operation, said: With the ground so saturated, flash flooding was a real issue yesterday with many people getting stuck.

"We alone attended 804 cars stuck in flood water, making it our busiest day ever for flooding call-outs but, unfortunately, today could be just as bad with more heavy rain forecast, particularly in western areas."

The AA has issued advice on how best to deal with flooded roads.

A press release said: "Drivers really need to be careful and be prepared for sudden road closures. We also see some drivers plough into flood water, somewhat oblivious to the risks.

"Unfortunately, the air intake on modern cars is often quite low and it takes just a tiny amount of water entering it to wreck the engine. Stay out of flood water where possible, certainly if it's moving or more than four inches deep.

"Yesterday our patrols reported seeing many people driving far too fast in the conditions. Stopping distances can increase significantly in the wet, so keep your speed down and maintain a larger gap between you and the vehicle in front.

"Bear in mind that surface water can mask dips in the road and potholes, which can catch you out.

"Surface spray is an issue too, so you must use your headlights if visibility is seriously reduced."

AA head of roads policy Paul Watters added: "Autumn leaves and exceptional rainfall unsurprisingly lead to flooding but local road maintenance is often the poor relation when it comes to local spending and more should be invested in tracking, clearing and improving drainage systems.

"We also urge landowners to co-operate with highway authorities when flooding problems occur."

Mid Kent Group of Advanced Motorists

About Mid Kent Group of Advanced Motorist.

The Mid Kent Car Group is a registered charity (no.1051416) which was founded in 1978.

We operate out of Grove Green, Maidstone, covering the Mid Kent area roughly bounded by Gravesend to the North, Faversham to the East, Tunbridge Wells to the South and Wrotham to the West.

The group is one of the largest in the IAM with a team of approximately 40 Qualified Observers, who accompany Associates (new members) on the road. Observing their driving style and recommend any improvements necessary, to enable their driving technique to be raised to a standard to pass the advanced driving test.

We offer two options to prepare for the test. The normal route is by joining one of our courses that are held on the first Sunday of every month. Courses commence in March, July and November. Alternatively, for anyone not regularly available on a Sunday we can offer an option of mutually agreed sessions at other times throughout the week, although the preparation time may require additional observed runs.

Mid Kent Group were awarded the ultimate IAM accolade, The Group Achievement Award 2009, as the top performing group in the UK, reflected in its exceptional pass rate.